Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!

Inside, he was greeted by the soft laughter of a toddler and the warm voice of the woman waiting for him.

Lilac sat on a pile of plush pillows, gently tossing a stuffed gryphon toward the baby, who squealed in delight. The child's eyes—bright crimson like polished rubies—sparkled with joy.

"Daddy!" Aquila shrieked the moment she saw him, scrambling to her feet and rushing forward with unsteady little steps.

Claude bent down and scooped her into his arms, lifting her high before spinning once, making her giggle uncontrollably. He stopped just to press a soft kiss on her cheek.

"And how is my little princess doing today?" he asked, smiling warmly. "You've been a good girl, haven't you?"

Aquila nodded vigorously. "I am!"

"She has," Lilac chimed in, though her tone carried the usual edge of irritation.

Her arms were crossed, lilac hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulder. "You don't need to be so overprotective of her, Claude."

"What do you mean, overprotective?" he asked, glancing at Aquila in his arms. "You like it here more than outside, right?"

Aquila nodded without hesitation. "I just want to be with Daddy!" she said, hugging him tightly.

For some reason, Aquila treated anyone outside their family as if they were beneath her—something filthy, unworthy of her attention or touch.

And yet with Claude, she was all affection and clinginess, utterly spoiled in his presence.

He'd long suspected it was Lilac's influence, but since Aquila's personality didn't harm anyone, he chose to let it slide.

Lilac shook her head. "She's going to take part in the future selection for ruler, Claude. If you keep sheltering her like this and never let her see the world, how is she supposed to win?"

"Lilac, she's still much younger than the others. I didn't even bring Altair here—he's still too small," Claude reasoned.

Altair was his second son, born from Reene. At just six months old, he was still in the nursery back at Elysium.

"Aquila is only six months younger than your eldest child! She's not that different in age!" Lilac exclaimed. "Is it because of her power?"

Claude blinked, caught off guard. "Of course not. Her power is strong—terrifying, even—in its own way."

He looked down at Aquila, who was still clinging to him with a bright, innocent smile.

"I'm just afraid something could happen to her," he admitted. "She's running around a barrack full of men. Do you know what could go wrong?"

"You're worried about that? Is that why you won't let anyone but family and the maids see her?" Lilac's eyes widened.

Maybe Lilac was immune to Aquila's ability because she was her mother.

But Claude, who had seen firsthand what that power could do—how dangerously alluring and manipulative it could become—knew it had to be handled with care.

"Of course I'm worried," Claude said, his voice low. "You don't understand how cruel men can be."

In his first life, he'd seen the ugliest sides of humanity—abuse toward the helpless: women, children, elders. People who were easy to control, easy to harm, easy to silence.

The memories still haunted him, and the thought of Aquila suffering that kind of fate made his blood run cold.

"Her power may not be combat-oriented," he continued quietly, "but it's the kind that rules from the shadows. That's why she needs to be protected. Because she still can't protect herself."

Lilac exhaled, rubbing her temple. "You're right. I'm sorry. I know you're trying to protect her. I guess… it's just hard."

"I come from the Xalvach family—we're knights. We're used to more direct strength. Aquila's power is so foreign… it feels strange."

Claude reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to worry. I know your concern comes from love."

"But don't overthink it. Aquila will be a great woman, even if she doesn't become queen. And if she does—then she'll be an unforgettable one."

Lilac's expression softened. "I know," she murmured.

Then, leaning in without warning, she kissed him on the mouth. Claude blinked, caught off guard by the sudden gesture—but smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her and Aquila both.

A sharp knock interrupted the moment, echoing through the thick tent flap like a dagger through silk.

Claude narrowed his eyes and gently set Aquila down, his gaze shifting to Lilac, who already carried her daughter in her hand and she put a ruffly hat on her to cover her face.

"Enter," Claude said, voice cold.

A soldier stepped in, bowing deeply, sweat beading on his brow. "Apologies, Your Majesty. Urgent message… from Mycetia."

Claude lifted his brow, "From Heinrich?"

'Something bad happens? Weird...' he thought, since Heinrich was a strong and capable general.

Heinrich was also there in the first operation to take small villages in Hyparia, it won't be too different from Mycentia, right?

Except if a Saint suddenly appeared which was impossible since none of them stayed in that area.

The man nodded and carefully retrieved a fist-sized black crystal from the pouch at his hip. The artifact pulsed faintly with swirling darkness inside, a strong relic used only by the highest in command.

Claude stepped forward and activated it with a brush of his mana.

The image of General Heinrich shimmered into being above the crystal—grainy but clear enough to read his grim expression.

"Your Majesty," Heinrich said, voice heavy. "We have a situation."

Claude folded his arms. "Speak."

"The 4th Unit advancing on the village of Rellea was ambushed. Nearly all men were slaughtered. Only one survived long enough to crawl back and deliver a report."

Behind the projection, shouting and muffled orders echoed—clearly Heinrich had sent scouts and was reorganizing the frontline.

Claude's voice turned low. "And the village?"

"A holy barrier, Your Majesty. Thick and radiant. It appeared just before the ambush."

Lilac's brows drew down sharply. "You can just destroy it? It isn't hard for someone like you."

"Indeed, but I have something interesting for you that you might want to hear, Your Majesty."

Claude rubbed his chin, 'Something interesting?'

His eyes were still locked on the flickering image. "Let me hear the report. From the survivor."

Heinrich nodded and gestured off-screen. After a beat, a ragged man limped into the frame. His armor was in ruins, stained with blood and mud, and his face bore the pallor of one who had clawed his way out of death.

"Your Majesty," the soldier rasped, dropping to one knee despite the pain.

"Talk," Claude ordered.

The man closed his eyes, recalling the horror.

"It started at dawn. Wintoed in to subdue Rellea—standard operation. The villagers were passive, most of them had already surrendered. Then…"

His hands trembled.

"Then… it was like the sun itself cracked open. Light erupted from the chapel at the center of the village. A golden barrier shot into the sky, enclosing everything. None of our casters could break it. And then they came."

"Who?" Claude asked sharply.

"It was a man in a Cardinal robe... An old man with tremendous power."

The soldier coughed hard, clutching his side.

Claude's gaze sharpened. "Name?"

"He didn't give one. Only said…" the soldier swallowed. "'Tell Claude… Finn sends his regards.'"

The room went still.

Lilac stiffened. "Finn?"

Claude's jaw twitched, it wasn't the Seven, but he heard that name before, but he forgot where it was.

"And he knew my name?"

The soldier nodded, shivering despite himself. "He said he'd only speak to you. That he wasn't here to 'cut down pawns,' but if you sent more men, he'd return the favor tenfold."

Claude let out a quiet exhale through his nose. "So. A self-righteous bastard playing prophet."

"The villagers?" Lilac asked, frowning.

"They are just normal people, but the moment that Finn came onto the stage they started to fight, Your Majesty."

Claude's eyes narrowed. "Huh, so Finn is their leader, a cardinal too..."

He stared at the crystal for a long moment, still trying to remember who the hell was Finn and why he felt like he also knew him...

Lilac who could feel his confusion, touched her shoulder, "Claude, your order?

Claude startled and shook his head before talking, "Hold your position. No further advance until I give the signal. I'll deal with this Finn personally."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Heinrich's image flickered, then vanished.

Claude stood silent for a moment, the black crystal dimming in his hand.

Lilac watched him carefully. "Finn. You know him?"

Claude's voice was quiet. "I think I am... I heard that name before, somewhere close and far away."

"Are you sure? He is a cardinal from church, how can you know someone like that?" she furrowed her brows, "But I am worried, if you go I will go since my sister is there."

"Yeah, you can come Lilac... And you are right, I never had any relationship with a cardinal before except in Cortinvar." he sighed, "Maybe it's just a common name."

Aquila tugged at his sleeve. "Daddy, is it dangerous?"

He glanced down at her, smiled, and gently brushed her hair back. "Not for you, my little star."

But inside, Claude's thoughts churned. A holy barrier. A village turned fortress. And a man who dared speak his name with familiarity.

He had a bad feeling about this.